Intra-African Trade Fair a reality of structural transformation - Ivorian minister
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (PANA) - The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) will lead to the structural transformation of the African economy, Minister of Trade of Côte d'Ivoire Souleymane Diarrasouba. said here Monday.
Mr. Diarrasouba, who was speaking at the signing of the agreement to host the third Intra-African Trade Fair by his country, said the IATF was now positioned as the most important trade event in the whole of Africa.
"It is an opportunity for our economic operators to show the reality of the structural transformation of our economies through industrialization, to present their products and services, to engage in business to business exchanges, exchanges between companies and the private sector, to create joint ventures and to conclude mutually beneficial trade agreements.
"The IATF is considered a sign and a locomotive for the smooth running of AfCFTA. It is also the showcase of the single African market of more than 1.3 billion consumers," he stated.
Diarrasouba said the event represented a commendable initiative to substantially increase trade between African countries which still remained low at around 16 per cent in spite of the continent's enormous potential.
"It also represents multi-sectoral development issues for Africa," he said.
Between 15,000 and 20,000 participants are expected to attend the third edition of this fair scheduled from 21-27 November 2023 at the Abidjan Exhibition Centre in Côte d'Ivoire.
The IATF is an initiative put in place as part of the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by the African Union, in partnership with Afreximbank, for the promotion of intra-African trade.
-0- PANA IT/IS/SOC/BBA/RA 28March2022
